Sale: Nomos 10, Lot: 6. Estimate CHF1500.  Closing Date: Sunday, 17 May 2015.  Sold For CHF1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Katane. c. 415/3-404 BC. Litra (Silver, 12mm, 0.84 g 6). Head of Silenos to left, wearing ivy wreath. Rev. Winged thunderbolt between two shields. Boehringer, Kataneische LI 6-7. Rizzo pl. XIV, 18 var. SNG ANS 1266. A remarkably attractive example, nicely toned and with some original luster. Some minor striking weakness, otherwise, extremely fine.

Ex Nomos 7, 15 May 2013, 9, from the Spina Collection, ex Triton VII, 13 January 2004, 55.

The superlative quality of the die engraving for this coin has impelled some cataloguers to attribute it to a known engraver like Euainetos (or Kimon, why not?). In any case, it is yet another example of how the minters of the Sicilian cities lavished great care on even the smallest silver pieces. This coin amply proves that it was surely a matter of prestige and pride for local citizens to have even minor denominations made with outstanding artistry.